The battle to lead the International Monetary Fund entered its final stages
yesterday as Agustin Carstens of Mexico presented his vision to the board
and the French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde secured another high-level
endorsement.

Mr Carstens, 53, the Governor of Mexico’s central bank, had a formal interview
yesterday after informal meetings with members of the IMF executive board on
Monday.

During the contest, Mr Carstens has called for a shift in the balance of power
in favour of emerging and developing countries and the need to address
European over-representation in the IMF as well for better oversight at a